Transcript Highlights:

• </c> wanted to clarify that this leaves wanted to clarify that this leaves employees<00:07:46.800><c>
• So, there are 13 states that currently provide for paid family medical leave at the state level.
• So, there are 13 states that currently provide for paid family medical leave at the state level.
• I also know how important paid leave is on the employee side.
• What if both of my employees take the leave at the same time?

Bills: HF4110, HF2113, HF4569, HF4414

Keywords: workplace regulations, employee rights, meal breaks, rest breaks, exemptions, paid leave, small employers, employment law, Minnesota Statutes, workforce development, HF4569, Minnesota Paid Leave Law, protected leave, seasonal employee, seasonal worker, hospitality, hospitality industry, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, employer certification

Transcript Highlights:

• of the Massachusetts State Employees Retirement System.
• of America be treated differently than any other state employee, or have this service valued less?
• Thank you. ...provide them with similar benefits afforded to other state employees.
• of the Massachusetts State Employees Retirement System.
• of America be treated differently than any other state employee, or have this service valued less?

Bills: S3044, S3031, S3017, H5189, H5246, H5297, H5248, H5359

Keywords: retirement benefits, teachers' retirement system, creditable service, public education, emergency law, sick leave bank, leave donation, personal days, vacation days, extended illness leave bank, public employee, county sheriff, Worcester County Sheriff's Office, personnel bill, employee leave, disability leave, illness leave, compassionate leave, Massachusetts public service, police recruitment

Transcript Highlights:

• None of the contracts for teachers in the state have paid family and medical leave, so they are taking
• None of the contracts for teachers in the state have paid family and medical leave, so they are taking
• Other states don't have it where it goes down to one employee.
• Other states don't have it where it goes down to one employee.
• Other states don't have it where it goes down to one employee.

Bills: HF11

Keywords: Minnesota Paid Leave, paid family and medical leave, family leave, medical leave, implementation delay, premium collection, employer premiums, state payroll tax, workforce, labor, benefits administration, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, employer notice, seasonal employees, private plans, actuarial study, outreach and education, employee rights, reinstatement

Transcript Highlights:

• Row, I heard that some states apparently they can collect UI and also paid family medical leave, and
• And I understand those concerns, but the reality is that most employers in the state, including the state
• leave.
• </c> the entire Paid Family Medical Leave the entire Paid Family Medical Leave program<00:32:05.399><
• </c> as an employer myself I pay my employees as an employer myself I pay my employees top-notch<00:37

Bills: HF11

Keywords: Minnesota Paid Leave, paid family and medical leave, family leave, medical leave, implementation delay, premium collection, employer premiums, state payroll tax, workforce, labor, benefits administration, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, employer notice, seasonal employees, private plans, actuarial study, outreach and education, employee rights, reinstatement

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, Senate Bill 169 increases the annual amount of longevity payment awards to state employees by
• school paid maternity leave revolving fund.
• Senate Bill 1204 provides Oklahoma teachers and school employees 3 days of bereavement leave following
• So if it's coming out of the maternity leave revolving fund, and I guess I need to understand it.
• I think with loans like such as this, I think it would be cheaper for the state to put up money like

Bills: SB169, SB1991, SB1992, SB1204, SB1339, SB182, SB1847, SB1360, SB1346

Keywords: longevity pay, state employees, Oklahoma government, salary increase, emergency declaration, capital planning, funding allocation, state budget, infrastructure, emergency measures, income tax credit, qualified project, economic development, infrastructure funding, small population areas, school employees, teachers, support personnel, support employees, public schools

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, Senate Bill 169 increases the annual amount of longevity payment award to state employees by
• This amendment adds basically that the money for this paid leave will come from the public school paid
• maternity leave revolving fund.
• Senate Bill 1204 provides Oklahoma teachers and school employees three days of bereavement leave following
• So if it's coming out of the maternity leave revolving fund, I guess I need to understand it: does it

Bills: SB169, SB1991, SB1992, SB1204, SB1339, SB182, SB1847, SB1360, SB1346

Keywords: longevity pay, state employees, Oklahoma government, salary increase, emergency declaration, capital planning, funding allocation, state budget, infrastructure, emergency measures, income tax credit, qualified project, economic development, infrastructure funding, small population areas, school employees, teachers, support personnel, support employees, public schools

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and considered a series of bills, most of them receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support. Senate Bill 169 would increase the annual longevity payment award for state employees by 50% across all service years and passed 17-1. Senate Bill 1991, described as a cleanup bill for the Ocamp Fund, passed 19-0. Senate Bill 1992, which defines “strategic financing partner” under the SIDE Act for Department of Commerce projects, passed 20-0. The committee also approved Senate Bill 1204, as amended, to provide Oklahoma teachers and school employees three days of bereavement leave after the death of a spouse or child, including a miscarriage; the amendment specified funding from the public school paid maternity leave revolving fund. Senate Bill 1339 passed to codify continued funding for off-the-formula schools and allow the State Department of Education to access funds to cover the 2023 teacher pay raise for those schools. Senate Bill 182 passed to allow certain CLEET-certified law enforcement officers and resident care specialists to join the OPERS hazardous duty retirement plan. Additional measures approved included Senate Bill 1847, allowing certain Advantage Waiver Medicaid recipients diagnosed with cognitive impairment to remain in assisted living and age in place; Senate Bill 1360, creating a three-year pilot program placing math instructional teams in the lowest-performing districts; and Senate Bill 1346, as amended, directing the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to establish a water and wastewater infrastructure investment program after removing an appropriation section. Several questions focused on funding sources, eligibility, and population-based allocation formulas, but no bills were rejected. Senate Bills 1427 and 1566 were laid over to go directly to the floor with no fiscal impact, and the committee adjourned after announcing it would meet again the following Wednesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result, when an officer leaves shortly after being trained, cities lose not only a valuable employee
• </c> As a result, when an officer leaves As a result, when an officer leaves shortly<00:05:22.160><c>
• </c> seeing a lot more of through the state seeing a lot more of through the state is<00:09:54.560><c
• And so, thank you all for that. employee came to the table, they pay employee came to the table, they
• /c> Uh if one leaves, uh Uh if one leaves, uh these<00:44:13.920><c> guys</c><00:44:14.240><c> were</

Bills: HB339

Keywords: Civil Air Patrol, CAP, emergency leave, job protection, employment discrimination, leave of absence, volunteer service, emergency response, Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, state employee leave, military leave, public employees, local government employers, reinstatement rights, seniority protection, unpaid leave, Meeting Start 00:00:03 Roll Call 00:00:14 Discussion of Local Law Enforcement Issues 00:03:08 Discussion of Civil Air Patrol Employment Protections 00:50:46 Adjournment 01:06:07, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1204 allows for three days of paid bereavement leave for our educators and support personnel
• The state has made movements for paid maternity leave, but we should also be there for our teachers on
• However, after conversations with SDE, they actually have carryover funds from the maternity leave, so
• So, if you have a school that is ignoring state law, that that would be the necessary or that would be

Bills: SB1360, SB1204, SB1989, SB1189, SB1481

Keywords: mathematics, student assessment, dyscalculia, intervention services, educational funding, professional development, state department of education, school employees, teachers, support personnel, support employees, public schools, school districts, bereavement leave, paid leave, grief leave, family leave, miscarriage, pregnancy loss, maternity leave

Transcript Highlights:

• But we created a parental leave pool where we allowed city employees to voluntarily donate those hours
• So during my first legislative session, I expanded the program to state employees.
• It's a similar program where now state employees have the ability to donate their hours to this parental
• leave pool.
• So this bill simply allows counties to be in line with what we're already doing with state employees.

Bills: HB334, HB583, HB605, HB1327, HB1646, HB2115, HB2379

Keywords: family leave, leave pool, county employee, sick leave, vacation leave, family care, pandemic, guardianship, fencing, reservoirs, local government, regulation, land use, conservation capacity, property regulation, fence regulation, reservoir safety, county authority, fencing regulations, counties

Transcript Highlights:

• and the secretary of state.
• in the state.
• Senate Bill 1204 will provide three days of bereavement leave for education employees for the loss of
• But providing three days of bereavement leave, I believe, is a way to show teachers and education employees
• They several years ago adopted this policy when it came to paternity leave and maternity leave.

Bills: SB843, SB1733, SB1476, SB1237, SB1410, SB1894, SB1272, SB1204, SB1721, SB1725, SB1735, SB1337, SB1339, SB1461, SB1975

Keywords: school boards, educational governance, conflict of interest, employee relations, Oklahoma statutes, child abuse, reporting requirements, sexual misconduct, law enforcement, school personnel, confidentiality, student safety, land office, land exchange, investment, education funding, real estate management, Teachers' Bill of Rights, education, teachers' rights

Transcript Highlights:

• Asking for a yes vote on this important bill that will ensure that our state employees who are survivors
• of hate crimes or who are filling out surveys, be it state employees or be it students, are able to
• Asking for a yes vote on this important bill that will ensure that our state employees who are survivors
• of hate crimes or who are filling out surveys, be it state employees or be it students, are able to
• designate a state cactus.

Bills: SB5000, SB5325, SB6044, SB6313

Keywords: state nickname, evergreen state, identity, cultural heritage, tourism, state cactus, symbolic designation, ecological significance, state symbols, SB 6044, Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas, Washington state holidays, RCW 1.16.050, state holiday recognition, religious observance, Hindu holiday, Sikh holiday, cultural recognition, paid holiday

Transcript Highlights:

• being that we have removed the language about a person in the Guard that's also a civilian of the state
• being that we have removed the language about a person in the guard that's also a civilian of the state
• We want to do seasonal employees for those peak times when we have our veterans in our homes.
• We want to do seasonal employees for those peak times when we have our veterans in our homes.
• state side.

Bills: HB3940, HB3078, HB3043

Keywords: Oklahoma National Guard, compensation, education assistance, career technology, military benefits, veterans, donations, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, state agency, executive branch, HB3043, ODVA, seasonal employees, project labor, pro rata jobs, unclassified service, state personnel law, state employee benefits, paid leave, paid holidays

Summary: The committee took up three Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs-related House bills. House Bill 3940 was presented as a modernization and cleanup of Guard retirement-related provisions, with a confusing pay language removed; members noted it was similar to prior versions and that any fiscal impact would not occur until after 2027. After brief questions, the bill was advanced unanimously, 7-0. House Bill 3078 would allow state agencies and executive-branch entities to add voluntary donation options to payment forms so people could contribute to the ODVA Revolving Fund when paying for items such as licenses, registrations, and tax forms. Members clarified the donations would be extra, strictly voluntary, and not tied to tax proceeds. The bill passed 7-0. House Bill 3043 would authorize ODVA to hire PRN/as-needed staff as seasonal employees under defined limits to help staff veterans homes. Supporters said it would improve flexibility and staffing during peak periods, while the minority leader raised concerns about expanding temporary employment and reducing access to stable, benefit-eligible jobs. The bill passed 5-2. The committee then laid over another item pending Senator Woods’ availability and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Whereas Chief Irwin has honorably served our state and nation for 33 years, demonstrating unwavering.
• And I think this is a huge part of the rise of women's sports in our state.
• And does the state of Oklahoma recognize birth certificates from other states?
• What I stated isn't going to change.
• Also, there are two states in the United States that currently require certified mail, and that is we

Bills: HJR1032, SB1314, SB1257, SB1326, SB1365, SB1932, SB169, SB1991, SB1992, SB1204, SB1339, SB182, SB1847, SB1360, SB1346

Keywords: HJR1032, House Joint Resolution 1032, Service Oklahoma, administrative rules, rule repeal, joint resolution, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 670:15-1-10, OAC 670:15-1-14, agency regulation, legislative oversight, Secretary of State, Oklahoma Register, rulemaking, permanent rules, administrative code, groundwater, indemnity fund, well drilling, pollution prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• Whereas Chief Irwin has honorably served our state and nation for 33 years, demonstrating unwavering
• And I think this is a huge part of the rise of women's sports in our state.
• So we have representation up here from, I think it's nearing 20 states and territories.
• And does the state of Oklahoma recognize birth certificates from other states?
• Also, there are two states in the United States that currently require certified mail, and that is we

Bills: HJR1032, SB1314, SB1257, SB1326, SB1365, SB1932, SB169, SB1991, SB1992, SB1204, SB1339, SB182, SB1847, SB1360, SB1346

Keywords: HJR1032, House Joint Resolution 1032, Service Oklahoma, administrative rules, rule repeal, joint resolution, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 670:15-1-10, OAC 670:15-1-14, agency regulation, legislative oversight, Secretary of State, Oklahoma Register, rulemaking, permanent rules, administrative code, groundwater, indemnity fund, well drilling, pollution prevention

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, and recognized the Doctor and Nurse of the Day, along with several guests and visiting groups, including a military honoree, a women’s rugby team from Southern Nazarene University, a homeschool co-op, gun-rights advocates, and other constituents. The chamber also heard a citation honoring Chief Master Sergeant Scott R. Irwin for 34 years of military service, and the SNU women’s rugby team was congratulated for winning the 2025 National Collegiate Rugby Division I championship. On the floor, members considered House Joint Resolution 1032, which would align Service Oklahoma rules with existing law and executive action regarding changes to birth certificate and license sex markers. The measure drew extended questioning and debate about gender identity, intersex individuals, and whether the repeal would change current practice. Minority Leader Kurt opposed it as political and harmful, while the author said it simply removed outdated administrative code. HJR 1032 passed 38-8. The Senate then passed Senate Bill 1314, increasing caps on the groundwater well drillers and pump installers indemnity fund, 46-0; Senate Bill 1257, classifying THC as a Schedule I drug, 43-3; Senate Bill 1326, modernizing the self-storage facilities lien act and changing notice provisions, 40-4; Senate Bill 1365, raising the threshold for Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department inventory purchases from local vendors and making it an emergency measure, 35-11; and Senate Bill 1932, allowing certain motor carriers to be represented by an officer or partner at administrative hearings, 46-0. The Senate also heard announcements about an Appropriations Committee meeting and an upcoming Bible Reading Marathon before adjourning until February 26, 2026.

Bills: HB 148, HB 334, HB 554, HB 762, HB 1520, HB 1593, HB 3526, HB 3810, HB 5092, SB 2215, HB 2607

Keywords: family leave, leave pool, county employee, sick leave, vacation leave, family care, pandemic, guardianship, severance pay, political subdivision, contract termination, misconduct, public funds, suicide prevention, peer support, fire departments, mental health, advisory committee, fiscal transparency, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• difference being that we have removed language about a person in the guard that's also a civilian of the state
• This bill would allow all state Agencies, boards, commissions, departments, or any entity within the
• My one concern about this is that we currently are allowed to have seasonal temporary employees up to
• We want to do seasonal employees for those peak times when we have our veterans in our homes.
• on the state side.

Bills: HB3940, HB3078, HB3043

Keywords: Oklahoma National Guard, compensation, education assistance, career technology, military benefits, veterans, donations, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, state agency, executive branch, HB3043, ODVA, seasonal employees, project labor, pro rata jobs, unclassified service, state personnel law, state employee benefits, paid leave, paid holidays

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3467 amends the state's maternity leave. A second, please.
• House Bill 3467 amends the state's maternity leave statute for school teachers to include the adoption
• This form is used as a data point for funding from state and federal, as well as private grants, and

Bills: HB4359, HB4115, HB3467, HB2978, HB3026, HB3032

Keywords: statewide assessments, student testing, testing window, end-of-year testing, Oklahoma Academic Standards, Oklahoma School Testing Program, State Board of Education, grade 3-8, alternate assessment, students with disabilities, special education, cognitive disabilities, assessment calendar, school year calendar, education accountability, academic standards, math intervention, advanced mathematics, course placement, college and career readiness

Transcript Highlights:

• Protem, would you believe that many states.
• House 3467 amends the state's maternity leave statute for school teachers to include the adoption of
• And so, I will just leave it at that. Thank you. I'd appreciate a yes vote.
• On an IAP, that's against state and federal law.
• I was a commissioner at that time and not a state legislator. Follow up.

Bills: HB2987, HB3026, HB3076, HB3288, HB3315, HB3467, HB3711, HB3885, HB4427, HB4359, HB4363

Keywords: education, academic standards, subject matter standards, State Board of Education, legislative review, joint resolution, curriculum, school standards, Oklahoma Administrative Code, education oversight, common education, curriculum standards, state education policy, rulemaking, legislative veto, kindergarten, military families, education policy, school districts, international military dependents

Transcript Highlights:

• Programs like this exist in several states. I hope this helps fill the teacher pipeline.
• This one group I know has placed over 55,000 teachers since 2005 in multiple states.
• And so I will just leave it at that. Thank you. I'd appreciate a yes vote.
• That's against state and federal law. How do I address that situation with this bill?
• I was a gang commissioner at the time, and not a state legislator. Follow-up.

Bills: HB2987, HB3026, HB3076, HB3288, HB3315, HB3467, HB3711, HB3885, HB4427, HB4359, HB4363

Keywords: education, academic standards, subject matter standards, State Board of Education, legislative review, joint resolution, curriculum, school standards, Oklahoma Administrative Code, education oversight, common education, curriculum standards, state education policy, rulemaking, legislative veto, kindergarten, military families, education policy, school districts, international military dependents

Summary: The Education Oversight committee heard and advanced several bills, with most receiving due pass recommendations by voice vote. HB 4359, by Speaker Pro Tem Moore, would move the annual testing window to the last three weeks of the school year; members asked about district scheduling and possible cost impacts, but the bill passed 10-0. HB 4363 updated outdated statutory references tied to OSU’s early development and also passed unanimously. HB 3467 would extend school-teacher maternity leave protections to include adoption of newborn children, and it passed without opposition. HB 2987 would change how academic standards are handled if the legislature takes no action within 30 legislative days, deeming them disapproved rather than approved; supporters said it preserves legislative oversight, while concerns were raised about leaving outdated standards in place, but it passed. HB 376, as amended, would create a new alternative teacher certification pathway through third-party certifiers; debate centered on whether easier pathways would weaken traditional teacher-prep programs or help fill vacancies, and it passed after extended discussion. The committee also advanced HB 4427, which adds guardrails to the adjunct teacher program by limiting adjuncts in core subjects in grades K-4 and requiring them to work toward certification. HB 3026 would let children of U.S. military allies stationed in Oklahoma start kindergarten according to their home-country timelines, and it passed. HB 3288 would restore physical education emphasis in schools, and HB 3315 would direct a feasibility study on 90-hour bachelor’s degree programs; both moved forward. HB 3711 would require schools to post the percentage of spending devoted to instructional expenditures on their websites and bond applications, with the sponsor declining to extend the same requirement to private schools receiving public tax-credit dollars. HB 3885 drew the most debate. It would establish suspension and expulsion standards for students who physically attack teachers or school employees, with supporters arguing it gives administrators clearer authority to protect staff and students and opponents warning it could conflict with existing protections for students with disabilities and create legal risk. The sponsor said the bill is intended to address intentional violence and allow case-by-case judgment, while critics cited prior civil-rights concerns over disproportionate discipline. Despite the objections, the bill passed on a due pass recommendation. The committee adjourned after announcing it would meet again Wednesday at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• , with my School pages with thousands of homeschoolers throughout the state.
• You make me nostalgic for my days on the State Powers Committee.
• We have many states that are looking at legislation similar to this.
• There will be students being bullied when I leave the legislature.
• There will be students being bullied when I leave the legislature.

Bills: HB2950, HB2978, HB3132, HB3242, HB3467, HB3700, HB3701, HB4115, HB4274

Keywords: postsecondary education, standardized test scores, educational equity, higher learning access, Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program, HB2978, school libraries, library media center, library media program, community standards, sexually explicit conduct, obscene material, age-appropriate materials, school curriculum, book challenges, book banning, censorship, public schools, school board, education committee